Theodosia Okoh facts for kids

Theodosia Salome Okoh (born June 13, 1922 – died April 19, 2015) was a talented Ghanaian teacher and artist. She is most famous for designing Ghana's national flag in 1957. Besides her art, she also played a big role in growing the sport of hockey in Ghana.

Who was Theodosia Okoh?

Theodosia Salome Abena Kumea Asihene was born in Effiduase, Ghana. Her father, Reverend Emmanuel Victor Asihene, was a leader in the Presbyterian Church of Ghana. Her mother was Madam Dora Asihene. Theodosia was the fourth of eight children. Growing up, she traveled a lot with her father, seeing different parts of Ghana and other countries.

Her Education Journey

Theodosia started her schooling at Ashanti Efiduasi Primary School. She then went to the Basel Mission schools in Agogo. Later, she attended Achimota School, where she studied Fine Art for three years. This training helped her develop her artistic skills.

Designing Ghana's Flag

When Ghana became independent from Britain in 1957, the country needed a new national flag. A competition was held to find the best design. Theodosia Okoh submitted her idea, and it was chosen by Ghana's first president, Kwame Nkrumah. The flag was first raised on March 6, 1957.

What Do the Colors Mean?

Theodosia explained her design choices in an interview. She picked the colors red, gold, and green because of Ghana's geography and history:

• Green stands for Ghana's rich plant life, as it is a tropical country.
• Gold represents the country's valuable minerals.
• Red honors the people who fought and died for Ghana's independence.
• The five-pointed black star in the middle is a symbol of African freedom and unity. It shows the continent's fight against colonialism.

A Champion for Hockey

Theodosia Okoh was not just an artist; she was also a dedicated sports leader. She became the first female chairman of the Ghana Hockey Association. Later, she served as the President of the Ghana Hockey Federation for over 20 years.

Hockey Achievements

During her time leading hockey, Ghana achieved great things. For the first time, Ghana's hockey teams qualified for both the Hockey World Cup and the Olympic Games. Because of her efforts, she was called "the Joan of Arc of Ghana hockey" by Ohene Djan, a famous sports administrator. This nickname meant she saved Ghana hockey when others were struggling. In 2004, the National Hockey Stadium was named after her to honor her contributions.

Her Family Life

Theodosia Okoh was married to Enoch Kwabena Okoh. He was the Head of Civil Service during Kwame Nkrumah's government in the 1960s. They had three children: E. Kwasi Okoh, Stanley Kwame Okoh, and Theodosia Amma Jones-Quartey.

Her Passing and Legacy

Theodosia Okoh passed away on April 19, 2015, at the age of 92, after a short illness. To honor her, President John Dramani Mahama ordered all flags in Ghana to fly at half-mast for three days. The government praised her for her "invaluable contributions" to building the nation. They noted that the unique flag she designed made Ghana instantly recognizable worldwide.

Awards and Recognition

Theodosia Okoh received many awards for her work. She was given the Grand Medal (GM) by the nation of Ghana. Other institutions also honored her, including the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation and the National Sports Awards in 2004. She also received awards from the Sport Writers Association of Ghana and the TV Africa series Obaa Mbo.

Lasting Impact

• The hockey stadium in Accra is named after her, recognizing her huge impact on the sport.
• A statue of her was put up in Anum, her hometown, by the Asuogyaman District Assembly.
• Her grandson, Ian Jones-Quartey, who is an animator and director, based a character named Nanefua Pizza in the cartoon show Steven Universe on her.

See also

In Spanish: Theodosia Okoh para niños